Few things can be quite as devastating as being called into an employer’s office and abruptly fired. Each year, over 100,000 employees in California and other states are wrongfully terminated. In these instances, former employees may be able to win lawsuits allowing them to return to work or to receive settlements to protect their financial health while they search for new jobs.
Numerous laws protect employees against wrongful termination. Wrongful termination can occur whenever an employer violates a written or verbal promise. Employees should research their company’s employee handbook to verify how the termination process should be handled. If the employer fails to adhere to the policy, it could be grounds for a lawsuit.
All too often, employees are fired because they were discriminated against. Employers are prohibited from firing employees based on gender, race, sexual orientation, disability, or pregnancy. Employees who believe they’ve been terminated due to discrimination should act quickly since there are strict laws and time limits that apply to claims of this nature.
Another common reason for wrongful termination is employer retaliation against an employee. If an employee does something that’s legally protected, his or her employer is prohibited from retaliation. For example, an employee cannot be terminated for filing a harassment claim.
Employees who have been wrongfully terminated may face a variety of financial and emotional repercussions. Fortunately, there are many laws that protect employees against wrongful termination. For individuals who feel that they’ve been fired illegally, an experienced wrongful termination attorney may be able to assist. An attorney who’s familiar with frequently changing employment laws may be able to help a fired employee navigate the process of filing a wrongful termination claim to protect his or her legal rights.
